Common Misconceptions about Zhul Hijjah and Qurbani

• September 22, 2015
• Author: SBNY

• According to sahih ahadith, the first ten days of Zhul Hijjah are among the most virtuous days of the year. Deeds performed in these days are many times better than those of other days. (Bukhari)

• The virtue of having two years of sins forgiven is exclusive for the fast on the Day of Arafah. (Muslim)

• Many people do not perform Qurbani (Ud’hiya) even though they have the means to do so.

• Many people do not even know Qurbani is wajib upon them.

• Many of the Deen-conscious mistaken the nisab (minimum amount of wealth which obligates) for Qurbani to be the same as that for zakat. “I am not obligated to pay zakat, thus I don’t have to perform Qurbani” is the common mistake.

• Possessions excess of basic necessities must be calculated for Qurbani (and Sadaqatul Fitr) obligation. If one has two cars and needs only one, he must include the value of the other car in his calculation to see if he must perform Qurbani or not.

• Important clarification: Zakat is obligatory on four types of wealth: (1) Gold, (2) Silver, (3) Business merchandise, and (4) Cash. If one does not possess enough of these types of wealth to obligate zakat, but if he adds the value of his excess wealth (that which he owns above basic necessities) it equals nisab amount, he must perform Qurbani and give Sadaqatul Fitr although he is not obligated to pay zakat.

• Some people perform Qurbani but due to miserliness or a lack of greatness in their hearts for Qurbani, pick an inexpensive animal to slaughter. Whereas in hadith, it is stated, “You should perform Qurbani happily” (Ibn Majah, Tirmizhi).